ROBERT IRVINE, 2nd
child of Thommas Irvine and Jane Sproule, in 1764 was born in Ireland,
probably in Killyless, co. Fermanagh. Of him we know merely that his
father was a "gentleman" farmer whose shifting sites of
operation from 1751 to 1776 was doubtless in attempts to better conditions
for his growing family. We are safe in the surmise that Robert attended
what schools were available, with aid by tutors between times. No doubt
too he was attracted toward a medical career through some knowledge of or
influence of his uncle, Dr. James,
or his cousins in America – Dr.
William, Brig-Gen'l, and Dr. Mathew.
Graduated in medicine from the University of Dublin.

Credence may be given to the statement
of a granddaughter, Mrs. Hazel Irvine Keyser, that Dr. Robert married
Margaret Armstrong shortly before embarking for America – the voyage being
their honeymoon. It is plain to see the co. Fermanagh environment was
abundantly supplied with both families and inter-marriages between the
families no novelty.

By 1786-7 Dr. Robert is known to have
established himself in Sharon, Pa., reportedly the first physician in
Shenango Valley. It is not improbable that he was attracted to the area
through knowledge of his cousin Dr. William’s interest in the development
of western Pennsylvania and "The Triangle".

From 1811-15 he practiced in Mt.
Vernon and owned a drug store. There seems scant reason to doubt that his
being in this frontier community is what enticed his younger brother Thomas
to venture there – finally to end 13 years of wandering when he settled to
farming in 1811. In 1817, as proven by Court Records, Dr. Robert owned a
farm near Perrysville, Ohio. The last years were spent in New Bedford, Pa.,
a small community some 6 miles south of Sharon – where he died in 1823,
and is buried in Deer Creek Cemetery.

Information concerning his wife
Margaret is lacking, but it says that she bore 10 children, all of who
reached maturity.

Confused complexities.

From 2nd April
1952 to 23rd Oct 1963 have come veritable avalanches of family
fast and lore and comment. Over this period – despite repeated reminders
– the specifics of immediate forebears of Dr. Elizabeth Reed remain
strangely missing. Casual references only – and confusing in that a few
letters later a differing order or attributing this or that to another. On
20th Oct., 1963 a 3-page listing of her non-fulfilled promises
was dispatched. The above dated response conveyed yet another promise –
and stated that for the past 2-3 years she had been busy with a
well-documented maternal line. Previous casual reference was that her [Dr.
Elizabeth Reed] Great
Grandfather (or Great Great) James had a daughter Elizabeth – who married
an Applegate – whose daughter married Dr. Reed, and begat Dr. Myron, Dr.
Elizabeth, and Dr. Barbara. The latest is "my mother’s maiden name
was Zimmerman – a descendent of Johann Jacob Zimmerman, Prof. Of
Mathematics and Astronomy of Heidelberg (1641-1693), invited by Wm. Penn to
come to Pennsylvania, died in Holland & family and 40 followers came to
Germantown where the 40 set up a monastery and observatory & waited for
the world to end as per his calculations. (It didn’t) Unlike the
Irvine’s the stuff is documented to the hilt. I even have their family
Bibles back to 1772. Maybe the Irvine’s used the Koran instead of Bibles I
can’t find."

Dr. Robert came to Sharon with
brothers James and Gerard (altered to Jared) vs came to Mt. Vernon with
brother Thomas vs came after Thomas was settled there.

Dr. Robert married in Ireland –
came to America on his honeymoon vs came as a young man and married
Mariah Armstrong vs Margaret Armstrong.

Dr. Robert’s son James was born
in Ireland and came to America with Thomas and to Mt. Vernon 1810-11 vs
born in Butler Co. 1794 and went with family to Mt. Vernon and
Perrysville, Ohio.

Great Grandfather (or Great Great)
was "a hot headed old boy – considered labor beneath the dignity
of an Irvine and occupied his time ordering others around." vs. he
was "ill tempered and petulant."

Great (or Great Great) Uncle
William was "ill tempered and petulant."

James begat 10 children vs. 5.

Dr. Robert’s grandson Thomas
married Letitia vs Mrs. Eleanora nee Irvin Benedict’s assertion that
her grandfather Thomas dropped off the final "e" and married
Elizabeth Farsh.

That Thomas and Letitia begat a
6th child Letitia who married a Benedict who begat Eleanora
Irvin Benedict vs Mrs. Benedict’s assertion that Thomas’ son John
Wesley Irvin was her father and it was she who married a Benedict.

Dr. John Mitcheltree was
born in 1614 – but he was the last child of Dr. Robert and the 4th
previous child was Armstrong – likewise listed as born in 1814.

Some future addict may want to tackle this dissection
(by Adrian Irvine)

This story contains too many discrepancies for me to
clear up. Maybe someone will soon recognize this family line and email
this webmaster to clear up the details (by WHK Irvine)